UNICEF's Birthday
Next: December 11, 2026
Born to help the world's children.
The story
Where it comes from
This Story marks the anniversary of 11 December 1946, when the UN General Assembly created the United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund to bring food, clothing and health care to children and mothers in countries devastated by the Second World War. Its first work was in Europe, China and Palestine. In 1950 its mandate grew to cover the long-term needs of children in developing countries everywhere, and in 1953 it became a permanent part of the UN. The words 'International' and 'Emergency' were dropped from its name, but the well-known acronym UNICEF was kept.
How it's celebrated
There is no formal observance. It is a good day to learn what UNICEF does for children today, or to support the UNICEF office or national committee where you live. UNICEF has raised money with greeting cards since 1949, so sending a card to a child you love is a fitting way to mark its birthday.
Did you know
- UNICEF's first greeting card, in 1949, used a painting of children dancing round a maypole by Jitka Samková, a seven-year-old girl in Czechoslovakia who painted it to thank UNICEF for the food aid it had sent.
- UNICEF was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1965.
- UNICEF has worked with the government and people of Malaysia since 1954, and Tunku Abdul Rahman signed its first Basic Cooperation Agreement with Malaysia in 1964.
Coming up next
- Kanji Day · December 12, 2026
- International Universal Health Coverage Day · December 12, 2026
- Lucia Day · December 13, 2026
- Werner von Siemens's Birthday · December 13, 2026
- First to the South Pole · December 14, 2026
- Zamenhof Day · December 15, 2026